Crinkle Quilt for baby V.

I made this quilt for a special new baby girl who lives in Colorado. I knew right away when I saw the Crinkle quilt pattern that I wanted to give it a try. It creates a very fun texture, and I loved playing with the Simply Style fabrics by V and Co. from Home Ec Workshop. I would say that it comes together very quickly for a baby quilt (even though it took me months from start to finish, ha ha!).

One detail I added was a little embroidered message on the quilt back. I plan to do this on all the quilts I make from now on. It is an easy, but special detail that marks the time and occasion for the quilt.

I hope I get to meet little V. in person sometime soon, but in the meantime, I'm happy to have added a little coziness to her nursery.

First day of school and first try at canning

We are lucky to have two plum trees in our yard, and this year they have been producing prolifically. I decided that it was time to order some jars and a starter tool kit. I also ordered this book which has instructions and lots of great recipes.

This attempt (#2) at plum preserves turned out pretty well. My first attempt was awfully thick, I think I overcooked it. Then I tried a watermelon-jalepeno jam with no luck - I think I cooked it too long at too low of a temperature. Then, I tried another batch of plum jam with orange zest, but it didn't set-up. Bummer. Looks like I have lots to learn, but I am determined. I want to have another way to make use of the bountiful fruit we have in our yard.

My plum preserves were ready just in time for a first day of school gift for Lachlan's kindergarten teacher. I used a 2" circle punch and alphabet stamps to label the top, then added a tag with letter stickers and a written message on the back.

Then I put the gift and a packed lunch in his new backpack and sent him off to Kindergarten! Big day for all of us! I think this photo accurately captures the excitement and nervousness that he and I were feeling.